THE FLAG-SCRAP AT STATE.
irHE custom of the annual flag-scrap between the Fresh
man and Sophomore classes is a comparatively new
one at State. During the early years of the institution the
classes were so small that there was very little chance for
class spirit of any sort, and none of the distinctly class af
fairs that are now the practice were then engaged in. Not
until about the years 1884-85 did the classes become large
enough to carry on any class movements, and even then very
little was done. However it was plain that class feeling
was growing and after two more years, in March, 1887, this
feeling was manifested in the raising of a flag by the Fresh
men on the flag-pole of the Main Building. The flag was
rather roughly made by the boys themselves, and according
to all accounts was put up simply for want of a little fun
and excitement. Times were not as busy 'then as they are
now. There were fewer things to take up spare time, • and
so this flag-raising was chiefly the result of a restless feel
ing among the students for something to do.
The Freshmen put up the flag sometime during the
night and carried a number of buckets of water with them
up to the upper floor of the old cupola. This floor commu
nicated with the outside of the cupola and its flag-pole by a
man-hole, and the place could be reached only by a small
ladder. 'When the Sophomores, learning of the affair, at
tempted to get at the flag to tear it down this ladder was
the only way up, so that the Freshmen had little trouble in
making their defense. As soon as a Sophomore showed
himself at the bottom of the ladder clown came a bucket of
water on his head, with a promise of another just like it if
he attempted to come any farther. As the night was ex
tremely cold this sort of strata em proved very successful
The Flag= Scrap at State.